Wood records memorable Pakuranga Hunt Cup double
Chris Wood won the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) as a jockey in 1980 aboard Le Roy (NZ) (Sovereign Ruler), and 46 years on he matched that feat as a trainer courtesy of Smug (NZ) (Complacent) in Thursday’s The Valley Toyota-sponsored feature.
The nine-year-old son of Complacent took winning form into the race, having been victorious in an open steeplechase at Woodville last month, but jumped the fourth equal favourite at $7.90, alongside the Kevin Myers-trained Prince Turbo (NZ) (Alamosa).
Outsider Zee Heights (NZ) (Zed) took up pace making duties for much for the journey, with race favourite Duke Of Plumpton (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) stalking his rivals from the back of the pack, while Smug was tucked in just behind the speed.
Heading down the back straight for the final time, Duke Of Plumpton was put into the race by jockey Hamish McNeill and he ranged up alongside the leaders, entering a three-way duel with Zee Heights and Brucie (NZ) (Raise The Flag), and the trio quickly opened up on their rivals.
Despite being left flat-footed, jockey Michael Roustoby was resolute and kept working on Smug, while Duke Of Plumpton created a length buffer on Zee Heights as they entered the home straight.
Zee Heights continued to rally, while Smug made up a big deficit out wide and powered home to score by 2-1/4 lengths over Zee Heights, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to Duke Of Plumpton in third.
Roustoby was chuffed with the win and said Smug is a superb jumper who benefited from the meeting being postponed from last Saturday because of heavy rain.
“He is not very quick on the flat, he is still a maiden, but through the air he makes up two or three lengths, so you have just got to rely on his jump,” Roustoby said. “It was very satisfying.
“He hates it when it is really heavy, and it has always been heavy here. With the recent inclement weather and it being postponed, it worked in our favour. I walked the track earlier and it was a (Soft)7 or Heavy(8), so there was no excuse today.”
The victory proved to be very sentimental for Wood, who reflected on his success in the race as a jockey.
“It is a race that we have been after for a long time,” he said. “I won it in 1980 (as a jockey), so it is pretty cool to be here and pick it up.”
Wood was proud of Smug’s fighting qualities to claw back and get the win.
“He has just kept on improving,” Wood said. “He hasn’t had a lot of luck here and the track has been pretty bottomless at times he has been here and today was reasonable footing and Michael didn’t give up on him and the horse kept coming.”
Wood was also rapt to get the victory for his loyal owners, Ron and Maryanne Thompson.
“He has some great owners in Ron and Maryanne,” Wood said. “Ron has had a horse in work every month of his life since he was 20 years old, he is now 82. He has spent a lot of money, is a champion guy, and they are great people to train for.
“They have stuck by this horse. We thought he was a Derby horse when he was a young horse, but that didn’t come to fruition, but today it has, so it is pretty cool.”
Wood is now looking forward to returning to Te Aroha in a fortnight where Smug will take on the marathon test of the Ben and Ryan Foote Racing Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m).
“I am pretty sure he is a horse that will get that journey, but you don’t know until you try,” he said. “He is a real staying horse and he does give 100 percent.”
